Sean Murphy DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Atlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy is taking a seat on Sunday when the Braves play the final game in their series against the Minnesota Twins. Murphy has been in the starting lineup in each of their previous seven contests. Instead, he will cede catching duties to young backstop Drake Baldwin, who will bat in the seven-hole. Since returning from a rib injury, Murphy has enjoyed a solid start to his campaign, holding a .200/.333/.543 slash line with four long balls, eight RBI, and a 15:4 K:BB. He has generated an impressive .363 xwOBA, which suggests he should continue to see significant positive regression when he returns to the starting nine. Fantasy managers should expect Murphy to return to the lineup on Monday evening when they host the Cardinals. Baldwin is best to fade in DFS facing right-hander Joe Ryan.

Atlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy led his team to victory on Saturday, smashing two solo homers in a 5-4 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. Murphy ended the day 2-for-4 with the pair of homers, two runs scored, and two RBI. He has shown his power since his return from the IL, knocking three homers in just four games. We have seen Murphy play at a high level for fantasy before, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him become a must-start catcher again. He is worth an add in deeper leagues and possibly some standard-size leagues as well.

Atlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy is absent from the starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the Tampa Bay Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Rookie Drake Baldwin will do the catching for right-hander Bryce Elder and will hit eighth against Rays right-hander Taj Bradley. Murphy had started the three previous games, including Thursday night's extra-inning affair against the Philadelphia Phillies that finished early in the morning in Atlanta after a lengthy rain delay. After starting the 2025 season on the injured list due to a rib injury, the 30-year-old backstop has come out strong offensively, going 3-for-11 with a homer, four RBI and two runs scored. Murphy should be back in action on Saturday for the Braves. Baldwin has intriguing long-term potential behind the dish in Atlanta, but he's gotten off to a 4-for-26 start at the plate in his first seven big-league games.